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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> United States >> Alaska Cruise on the Island Princess (June 2011) >> Best Photos of Alaska Travels (June 2011) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Best Photos of Alaska Travels (June 2011)

Alaska, the 49th state is big, beautiful and bountiful. Being so isolated, it is also expensive. It is worth going there, though, to experience its breathtaking beauty. No other states have glaciers that match those found in Denali National Park, Glacial Bay and the College Fjord, nor mountains as majestic and tall Mt. McKinley. Nor can other states match Alaska’s wildlife including whales, bears, moose, sea lions, bald eagles, salmon, and so on. For those who love adventure and don’t mind traveling off “the beat and track,” Alaska is the last unspoiled wilderness, and a breath of fresh air in more ways than one.
Best Photos of Alaska cover page.jpg
Best Photos of Alaska cover page.jpg		 Map of Alaska with the star indicating Anchorage.
Map of Alaska with the star indicating Anchorage.		 View of the Vancouver skyline as we left Vancouver harbor.
View of the Vancouver skyline as we left Vancouver harbor.		 The skyline was much smaller as we cruised away from the harbor.
The skyline was much smaller as we cruised away from the harbor.
We went to the George Inlet Lodge in Ketchikan where we were going on a crab catch trip.
We went to the George Inlet Lodge in Ketchikan where we were going on a crab catch trip.		 From the boat, we spotted this bald eagle's nest.
From the boat, we spotted this bald eagle's nest.		 Our guide pulled this crab trap up from the water.
Our guide pulled this crab trap up from the water.		 To preserve the crab population, immature crabs, and pregnant female crabs are thrown back into the water.
To preserve the crab population, immature crabs, and pregnant female crabs are thrown back into the water.
Close-up of one of the crabs.
Close-up of one of the crabs.		 A saloon and trading company in Ketchikan.
A saloon and trading company in Ketchikan.		 Ketchikan claims to be the salmon capital of the world.
Ketchikan claims to be the salmon capital of the world.		 A salmon market there. I did not try the salmon, but I can vouch for Ketchikan's Dungeness crabs.
A salmon market there. I did not try the salmon, but I can vouch for Ketchikan's Dungeness crabs.
Ketchikan is supposed to be the rainiest spot in the U.S. The rain it is measured in feet rather than in inches.
Ketchikan is supposed to be the rainiest spot in the U.S. The rain it is measured in feet rather than in inches.		 One of many cruise ships that had stopped in Ketchikan.
One of many cruise ships that had stopped in Ketchikan.		 The Mt. Roberts Tramway terminal in Juneau.
The Mt. Roberts Tramway terminal in Juneau.		 Interesting Northwest Indian design decorating a Juneau parking garage.
Interesting Northwest Indian design decorating a Juneau parking garage.
The Red Dog Saloon is Juneau's most famous drinking establishment. It was founded during the mining era.
The Red Dog Saloon is Juneau's most famous drinking establishment. It was founded during the mining era.		 It was there that Ragtime Hattie played the piano in white gloves and a silver dollar halter-top.
It was there that "Ragtime Hattie" played the piano in white gloves and a silver dollar halter-top.		 In olden days, the owners met tour boats at the docks with a mule wearing a sign saying, follow my ass to the Red Dog Saloon.
In olden days, the owners met tour boats at the docks with a mule wearing a sign saying, "follow my ass to the Red Dog Saloon."		 The Alaskan Liquor Cache. Drinking is a popular pastime during those short winter days and long nights.
The Alaskan Liquor Cache. Drinking is a popular pastime during those short winter days and long nights.
Sign for the Mendenhall Glacier located in Tongass National Park outside of Juneau.
Sign for the Mendenhall Glacier located in Tongass National Park outside of Juneau.		 In recent years, the Mendenhall Glacier has retreated due to global warming.
In recent years, the Mendenhall Glacier has retreated due to global warming.		 The ice is blue due to an oxygen and hydrogen bond in water, which absorbs light in the visible spectrum.
The ice is blue due to an oxygen and hydrogen bond in water, which absorbs light in the visible spectrum.		 The blue tint is especially visible in these icebergs, which calved off of the glacier.
The blue tint is especially visible in these icebergs, which calved off of the glacier.
Our next stop was the waters of Stephens Passage where we had a rare sighting of these orca whales on a whale watch.
Our next stop was the waters of Stephens Passage where we had a rare sighting of these orca whales on a whale watch.		 Orca whales are also known as killer whales, which is a misnomer since they are not harmful to people.
Orca whales are also known as killer whales, which is a misnomer since they are not harmful to people.		 Sea lions taking a nap on this buoy in Stephens Passage.
Sea lions taking a nap on this buoy in Stephens Passage.		 Close-up of the sea lions. They are among the many species that populate Alaska's Inside Passage.
Close-up of the sea lions. They are among the many species that populate Alaska's Inside Passage.
Beside this boat is a humpback whale.
Beside this boat is a humpback whale.		 The humpback is about to disappear into the depths to feed on krill and small schooling fish.
The humpback is about to disappear into the depths to feed on krill and small schooling fish.		 From this wake, it is obvious that our jet-powered catamaran was moving very fast.
From this wake, it is obvious that our jet-powered catamaran was moving very fast.		 View of the Orca Point Lodge from the dock.
View of the Orca Point Lodge from the dock.
The chef was grilling some fresh salmon steaks caught in Stephens Passage.
The chef was grilling some fresh salmon steaks caught in Stephens Passage.		 After we set sail again from the lodge, we could see the Mendenhall Glacier from Stephens Passage.
After we set sail again from the lodge, we could see the Mendenhall Glacier from Stephens Passage.		 Close-up of the Mendenhall Glacier from our whale-watch cruise.
Close-up of the Mendenhall Glacier from our whale-watch cruise.		 The Island Princess, our cruise ship while it was docked in Skagway.
The Island Princess, our cruise ship while it was docked in Skagway.
Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.		 It provided better transportation for prospectors from Skagway who used pack horses or their backs to cross over the mountains.
It provided better transportation for prospectors from Skagway who used pack horses or their backs to cross over the mountains.		 Building the WP&YR railroad was considered impossible. It was literally blasted through coastal mountains in only 26 months.
Building the WP&YR railroad was considered impossible. It was literally blasted through coastal mountains in only 26 months.		 Tens of thousands of men and tons of explosives overcame the harsh climate and geography to create the railway built of gold.
Tens of thousands of men and tons of explosives overcame the harsh climate and geography to create "the railway built of gold."
The locomotive entered the tunnel first.
The locomotive entered the tunnel first.		 This ancient wooden train trestle is enough to make anyone nervous!
This ancient wooden train trestle is enough to make anyone nervous!		 The top of an ancient trestle, which is no longer in use.
The top of an ancient trestle, which is no longer in use.		 Rusty steel and ancient timbers of the trestle.
Rusty steel and ancient timbers of the trestle.
View of the White Pass train cars entering the tunnel with tourists snapping pictures.
View of the White Pass train cars entering the tunnel with tourists snapping pictures.		 A large snowbank along the tracks.
A large snowbank along the tracks.		 View of magnificent snow-peaked mountains as the train headed back to Skagway.
View of magnificent snow-peaked mountains as the train headed back to Skagway.		 Steel girders supported the ground beneath the tracks.
Steel girders supported the ground beneath the tracks.
From this snowy peak, it is obvious how the White Pass got its name.
From this snowy peak, it is obvious how the White Pass got its name.		 View of 2nd Avenue in downtown Skagway.
View of 2nd Avenue in downtown Skagway.		 The ornate WP&YR Railroad Building, which was completed in 1900.
The ornate WP&YR Railroad Building, which was completed in 1900.		 Built in 1897, the Red Onion Saloon operated as one the finest bordellos in Skagway.
Built in 1897, the Red Onion Saloon operated as one the finest bordellos in Skagway.
Exterior of the Mascot Saloon on Broadway. It has a colorful past.
Exterior of the Mascot Saloon on Broadway. It has a colorful past.		 It was popular during the gold rush days of 1898-1899, when Skagway was known as the roughest town on earth.
It was popular during the gold rush days of 1898-1899, when Skagway was known as "the roughest town on earth."		 A great mural of the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad on a wall outside of Effy Jewelers in Skagway.
A great mural of the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad on a wall outside of Effy Jewelers in Skagway.		 A beautiful 1955 Ford Fairlane Fordomatic in front of Temptations on 5th between Broadway & State Street.
A beautiful 1955 Ford Fairlane Fordomatic in front of Temptations on 5th between Broadway & State Street.
My last stop in Skagway was at the Red Onion Saloon, which was a popular brothel in gold rush days.
My last stop in Skagway was at the Red Onion Saloon, which was a popular brothel in gold rush days.		 These bar maids are dressed up like gold rush era call girls.
These bar maids are dressed up like gold rush era call girls.		 View of downtown Anchorage from my hotel window.
View of downtown Anchorage from my hotel window.		 The clouds over the city were very dramatic that day.
The clouds over the city were very dramatic that day.
Some native Alaskan totem poles and a gorgeous hanging basket in front of this Anchorage building.
Some native Alaskan totem poles and a gorgeous hanging basket in front of this Anchorage building.		 Close-up of one of the totem poles.
Close-up of one of the totem poles.		 The 4th Avenue Theater is a landmark.
The 4th Avenue Theater is a landmark.		 I took this trolley. It wasn't free, though; a tour of Anchorage cost $10.
I took this trolley. It wasn't free, though; a tour of Anchorage cost $10.
Sign telling drivers to yield to aircraft.
Sign telling drivers to yield to aircraft.		 Plane docked at Lake Hood. Alaska has more planes per person than any other state in the union.
Plane docked at Lake Hood. Alaska has more planes per person than any other state in the union.		 That's because many parts of Alaska are only accessible by plane.
That's because many parts of Alaska are only accessible by plane.		 Grizzlys is another popular shopping spot for tourists.
Grizzlys is another popular shopping spot for tourists.
Glacial ice to promote the Kenai Fjords Tours and the Prince William Sound Cruises.
Glacial ice to promote the Kenai Fjords Tours and the Prince William Sound Cruises.		 We took a Denali National Park, Mt. McKinley flight tour from Rust's.
We took a Denali National Park, Mt. McKinley flight tour from Rust's.		 It was a beautiful day with lots of clouds in the sky.
It was a beautiful day with lots of clouds in the sky.		 The plane had to go to 10,000 feet, above the clouds to get a good view of Mt. McKinley.
The plane had to go to 10,000 feet, above the clouds to get a good view of Mt. McKinley.
View of Mt. McKinley from above the clouds. It was named after President William McKinley, even though he never went to Alaska.
View of Mt. McKinley from above the clouds. It was named after President William McKinley, even though he never went to Alaska.		 Glacier flows in Denali National Park.
Glacier flows in Denali National Park.		 The Ruth Glacier primarily occupies the southeast side Mount McKinley.
The Ruth Glacier primarily occupies the southeast side Mount McKinley.		 View of the massive Ruth Glacier. Many smaller (unnamed) glaciers flow into it.
View of the massive Ruth Glacier. Many smaller (unnamed) glaciers flow into it.
Glacial debris below the mountain. Glaciers are very dirty because they drag so much rock and debris as they flow.
Glacial debris below the mountain. Glaciers are very dirty because they drag so much rock and debris as they flow.		 More turquoise pools of water.
More turquoise pools of water.		 The pilot joked that these glaciers are nicknamed Beverly Hills, because it looks like there are hundreds of swimming pools!
The pilot joked that these glaciers are nicknamed "Beverly Hills," because it looks like there are hundreds of swimming pools!		 Patches of snow on the mountain below.
Patches of snow on the mountain below.
Another seaplane landing on Lake Hood.
Another seaplane landing on Lake Hood.		 Interior atrium of the Island Princess cruise ship.
Interior atrium of the Island Princess cruise ship.		 Passengers on the staircases and different decks watching the festivities on deck 5 below.
Passengers on the staircases and different decks watching the festivities on deck 5 below.		 More details of the Island Princess, which is a medium-sized cruise ship.
More details of the Island Princess, which is a medium-sized cruise ship.
The cruise ship sailed beside the Margerie Glacier, which is 1 mile wide and 800 feet above sea level at the top.
The cruise ship sailed beside the Margerie Glacier, which is 1 mile wide and 800 feet above sea level at the top.		 This man in the Jacuzzi next to the pool has the right idea!
This man in the Jacuzzi next to the pool has the right idea!		 The Island Princess was approaching the College Fjord.
The Island Princess was approaching the College Fjord.		 The glaciers are named after women's colleges for the NW side, and men's colleges for the SE side.
The glaciers are named after women's colleges for the NW side, and men's colleges for the SE side.
The water shimmered in the light.
The water shimmered in the light.		 A beautiful snowy mountain in the clouds.
A beautiful snowy mountain in the clouds.		 In the background is one of the College Fjord glaciers.
In the background is one of the College Fjord glaciers.		 A closer view of the glacier.
A closer view of the glacier.
Close-up of an iceberg with the blue tint of glacial ice.
Close-up of an iceberg with the blue tint of glacial ice.		 We saw and heard this glacier calve. It was a unique experience.
We saw and heard this glacier calve. It was a unique experience.

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